Suspect gets into Kelowna bank through unlocked door

KELOWNA – Two janitors working inside a Kelowna bank were interrupted by a robber who got inside after hours over the weekend.

Two members of a cleaning crew were working inside the TD Canada Trust on Harvey Avenue at around 6 p.m., Jan. 10. The bank was closed, however Const. Jesse O’Donaghey says a door between the ATM vestibule and the bank was likely left open.

A 36-year-old Kelowna man allegedly entered the bank undetected and began searching drawers and cabinets for cash.

He says the suspect tried to force his way through an interior wall connected to the cash dispensary room.

“It was the crashing noise from this action which alerted the staff to the suspect’s presence,” O’Donaghey says. “The janitors ran to another part of the bank where they safely locked themselves inside a room and called 911.”

Officers surrounded and entered the bank to find the suspect still inside. He was taken into police custody and faces potential charges of break and enter and failing to comply with a probation order.

The janitorial staff were unharmed.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.